The fire in La Palma is still active on three fronts, but some evacuees can return home

The La Palma fire is still burning on three fronts but is not spreading beyond the established lines and the reactivations have been controlled. The main central points are in Cruz del Llano, El Reventón, and La Caldera. At this morning’s press conference, the Minister of Territorial Policy, Manuel Miranda, reported that there are currently 550 troops and 10 aerial means battling the blaze.

The two fronts located in the areas of El Reventón and Cruz del Llano, behind the town of Tijarafe, are still active but have shown a favourable evolution overnight due to the change in the weather. However, these two flanks cannot yet be considered extinguished.

The minister explained that the main difficulty has arisen on the southern flank, in the Caldera National Park, due to access problems and difficult conditions by air due to the volume of smoke and low clouds. This is now the area of main concern for the fire to spread, however, it is expected that throughout the day the sky will clear up, which will make it easier for the helicopters and seaplanes to contain it.

Miranda said that the fire is still ongoing and that the greatest efforts are being concentrated in the Caldera National Park. In addition, it is expected that the weather conditions will favour fire control and that air resources will be able to operate more effectively. Although it is not known when more positive news is expected in the near future.

At the moment there are eight helicopters and two seaplanes working on the fire, as well as 550 troops belonging to the Cabildo de La Palma, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Government of Spain, town halls, the various police forces, and 110 volunteers.

SOME EVACUEES CAN RETURN HOME:
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has announced that some people evacuated due to the fire can now return home after studying its evolution today.

Specifically, those from the nuclei between the LP-1 towards the sea, which is the residents of Puntagorda and the town of Tijarafe, can return home immediately.

Clavijo stressed that the fire "is not controlled" and that the area above the highway remains closed. It is expected that during the day "there will be conditions of temperature and humidity that will help and favour progress in their extinction."

No new figures for affected buildings have been provided. The latest data pointed to a minimum of twenty, including homes, workshops, and warehouses; however, there are images that could confirm a higher number.

ALERT FOR FOREST FIRES DEACTIVATED:
The alert for forest fires that was activated in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, and La Palma has also been deactivated due to the change in the weather. These emergency services in these five islands remain on pre-alert, but the focus is on extinguishing the fire in La Palma.